DENVER — Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper announced today he extended an Executive Order that authorizes transports of large baled hay or baled livestock feed which may exceed lawful maximum height.

The governor signed the original Executive Order on Sept. 21. Since then, the Colorado Department of Transportation has issued 13 permits to nine different applicants.

The Executive Order suspended rules that prevent the State from issuing single-trip, extra-legal permits for divisible loads of “baled hay” or “baled livestock feed” of heights ranging from 14 feet, 6 inches to 15 feet.

“Large areas of Colorado have experienced devastating damage from drought. This has severely impacted the ability of Colorado livestock producers to acquire the requisite amount of feed for their animals,” the Executive Order said. “As winter approaches, such restrictions put Colorado livestock in severe danger and producers require immediate assistance to meet their feed requirements.”

The governor announced the Executive Order last month during the inaugural Pedal The Plains event on the Eastern Plains. The extension signed Monday is good for 30 days.

The full text of the new Executive Order and the original Executive Order are below:

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Governor of the State of Colorado and, in particular, pursuant to relevant portions of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, C.R.S. § 24¿33.5-701, et seq., and specifically C.R.S. § 24-33.5-704(7)(a), I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order extending Executive Order 2012-040 authorizing transports of baled hay or baled livestock feed to exceed otherwise lawful maximum height.

I. Background
On September 21, 2012, Executive Order D 2012-040 suspended state regulation 2 C.C.R. 601-4, Rule 105.1 to the extent that it prevents the issuance of single trip, extra-large permits for divisible load of “baled hay” and “baled livestock feed” ranging from 14 feet, 6 inches (4’6”) to 15 feet (15’) in height. That Executive Order expired on the 21st day of October, 2012. Colorado’s drought continues to constitute a disaster emergency and livestock feed needs are still in jeopardy, both of which counsel extending Executive Order D 2012-040 another thirty days.

III. Duration
This Executive Order shall expire thirty days from the date of signature, unless extended further by Executive Order. In all other respects, Executive Order D 2012-040 shall remain in full force and effect as originally promulgated.

GIVEN under my hand and the
Executive Seal of the State of
Colorado this twenty-second day of
October, 2012.

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Governor of the State of Colorado and, in particular, pursuant to relevant portions of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, C.R.S. § 24-33.5-700, et seq., and specifically C.R.S. § 24-33.5-704(7)(a), I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order suspending state regulation 2 C.C.R. 601-4 Rule 105.1 to the extent that it prevents the issuance of single-trip, extra-legal permits for divisible loads of “baled hay” and “baled livestock feed” ranging from 14 feet, 6 inches (14’ 6”) to 15 feet (15’) in height.

I. Background and Purpose
Large areas of Colorado have experienced devastating damage from drought. This has severely impacted the ability of Colorado livestock producers to acquire the requisite amount of feed for their animals.

The Governor is responsible for meeting the dangers to the state and people presented by disasters. The Colorado Disaster Emergency Act defines a disaster as "the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damages, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural cause or cause of human origin." C.R.S. § 24-33.5-703(3). State regulation 2 C.C.R. 601-4 Rule 105.1 prevents the state from issuing single-trip, extra-legal permits for divisible loads of “baled hay” and “baled livestock feed” ranging from 14 feet, 6 inches (14’ 6”) to 15 feet (15’) in height. As winter approaches, such restrictions put Colorado livestock in severe danger and producers require immediate assistance to meet their feed requirements.

II. Declaration and Directives
I declare and direct, as follows:
A. The provisions of 2 C.C.R. 601-4 Rule 105.1 are hereby suspended to the extent that they prevent the State from issuing single-trip, extra-legal permits for divisible loads of “baled hay” or “baled livestock feed” of heights ranging from 14 feet, 6 inches (14’ 6”) to 15 feet (15’).
B. The above mentioned directive is subject to the following conditions:
i. Any baled hay or baled livestock transporter exceeding 14 feet, 6 inches (14’ 6”) in height must adhere to all other statutory weight and length restrictions.
ii. Any baled hay or baled livestock transporter exceeding 14 feet, 6 inches (14’ 6”) in height may transport baled hay and livestock feed on all highways in the state except those that are part of the federal interstate system.
iii. Any baled hay or baled livestock transporter exceeding 14 feet, 6 inches (14’ 6”) in height must be single-trip permitted with the Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”).
iv. Any baled hay or baled livestock transporter exceeding 14 feet 6 inches (14’ 6”) in height and permitted as required above shall abide by all applicable CDOT permitting rules and regulations, follow all routing designations as prescribed by CDOT and enforced by the Colorado State Patrol, and must remit all applicable fees.

III. Duration
Unless amended or terminated by subsequent executive order, this order shall remain in effect through October 21st, 2012.

GIVEN under my hand and the
Executive Seal of the State of
Colorado this twenty-first day of
September, 2012